Started Another Gauge Restoration - Speedwarning - Ongoing

[tcb-1]

had some extra time this weekend to start another gauge resto project. this cluster was in decent shape, but needed a facelift. you may remember, I had a speed warning speedo that needed a bit of rebuilding. got it back together and is better than new. getting this one ready to sale once complete. very happy with the progress to this point. got a new bezel and a new lens in the box ready to go. this cluster originally came with a 67-68 bezel, but I'm going with a non-choke 69-72 unit; even though '69 would have been the last year for the s.w.

to this point:

media blasted all 5 tins. ammeter/temp tin, oil pressure(vacuum/air) tin, rear tin, fuel gauge tin, and inner tin. most of the time, these tins will have rust SOMEWHERE!

tins paint: Valspar spray cans from Lowes for the tins.
-leaf green in satin for the reflective inner tins
-flat white for the inner ammeter/temp/oil pressure tin
-satin black for the inner tin face
-and a little trick here, the rear outer tin is usually a gray or a natural metal color. after media blast, apply 3 even coats of Valspar flat clear. it looks exactly like the factory finish.

gauge paint: Plastikote "orange glow" (in small spray can from Wal Mart)duplicates the needle color almost exactly. a great way to liven up those sunfaded gauges!

anyway, I'll update this thread when I get more accomplished. just thought you all would like to have some info on paints and processes of restoring these great old gauges....... and restoring a cluster is not that difficult!! buy a cheap set of standard gauges for $20 and see what you can do!!! nothing like looking through that steering wheel to fresh gauges.

a pic of the front of the rear tin with gauges and light tubes in place:


a pic of the rear of the rear tin. note the hole for the speedwarning control cable and the grounding stud:


to be continued.......

[71blksuper4x4]

Looks great Doug, I found 2 more speedwarning clusters out of different late 60's cars and I was thinking of you for the gears out of them. Question, I am going to work on making a tach/vac/speedwarning cluster here soon, and I was wondering if you drilled out the hole for the speedwarning stud in the back tin. If so, I was wondering what size you drilled that hole. Trevor

[tcb-1]

Trev,
are you talking about the hole behind the speedometer where the control cable comes through, or the ground stud?

did you buy those speed warning speedos off of Ebay? if you did, I was bidding against you !!!

I have some good s.w. parts if you need them. gears, correct plastic face screws, etc. I'll try to help you anyway I can, I'm kind of addicted to these crazy little devices!

[LockDoc]

-
That baby is looking great Doug. I can't wait to see the finished product..

HURRY UP!!..j/k

LockDoc

[into69z]

I have the same speed warning dash out of a 67 that will be going in my 69-I just bought a tach dash w an air pressure gauge that will be used to complete my new cluster. I do not want the air pressure gauge or a vacuum gauge bit I do want to install a clock. I have a couple of questions-Did you repaint the gauge faces? or just clean them? Have you ever done a clock install and if so any tips on getting it done right the first time? I'm with you-a "nutcase" for these speedminder dashes-you just don't see that many of them. Thanks Steve

[71blksuper4x4]

Doug, no, I didn't win them off ebay, but when I went junkyarding the last time. I got a 67' Caprice one, and I got one out of a old Buick of some sort. The Caprice just had the speedometer in it, much like the truck setup I found. The buick one had the always expensive buzzer that I was hoping they both had. Doug, I might be interested in your screws for the speedwarning though. I think I am going to do some autopsy work on the caprice speedometer, and make another truck one out of it. Both hole locations is what I need. I got the ground stud out of the Caprice but the buick one was setup weird. Trevor

[mjensen]

Okay, so I have to admit....I have no idea what you guys are talking about here. What is a speed warning speedo? I've never heard or seen one (other than these pics). Did the warning move, or was it just a standard needle? Newbies want to know

[71blksuper4x4]

Okay, for the noobs. Speedwarning is a device to warn you that you are speeding. What you would do is set the white needle where the speed limit was or where you think you would not get pulled over for going that fast. As soon as your orange needle goes past the white needle. A buzzer behind the instrument panel buzzes to warn you to slow down. It was only put in 67-69' trucks, and is a pretty hard to find option. Trevor

[tcb-1]

Trev,
I'll get the diameter for the control cable hole tonight. the ground pin was already on the rear tin. I have heard of guys drilling a through hole for the connection and simply installing a rubber grommet (to eliminate chaffing of the wire).

great score on the speedometers. like I said, I have some spare gear cogs and screws if you ever need them.

[72BlckButy]

Doug... I am subscribed to this thread.

Awesome work thus far, and I can't wait to see how well the gauge panel turns out. I'll have to give you a call (maybe this week) to discuss the process your are referring too. Are the other gauges original? Did you do any touch up other than the needles?

[my67chevytruck]

great work!

[dfwright]

-satin black for the inner tin face

Is this the actual gauge face? Did you paint the gauge faces? If so, how did you mask off and/or repaint the lettering and scales?

[tcb-1]

I was fortunate to have a few nice gauges with clear faces, but the needles needed repainted. the original gauge faces were stamped, so trying to duplicate the marks without a diecut stamp is virtually impossible.

[72BlckButy]

Doug, did you have to do any cleanup on the gauges themselves? (other than the S.W. and the needles)

[tcb-1]

finalized this one tonight.

here's a pic of the lens cushions. these cushions set the lens back approx 1/16" from the bezel. these are frequently left out of restorations, but they need to be replaced. these cushions keep the lens from chattering against the bezel.



here's a pic of the speed warning control cable and the s.w. grounding pin



here's a pic of the speed warning buzzer (thanks Paul) and the s.w. harness. this harness plugs into the ground pin on the rear of the gauge cluster.



and finally, the completed project. onto the next one......

[72BlckButy]

Awesome work Doug, that turned out nice!

Ready for another unique gauge restoration???

[tcb-1]

Nate, my next idea is incorporating an original air gauge (used on air brakes for the C50-C60) for a monitor for air pressure for an air tank for bags. like to try the Camaro tach install as well (in the faq's).

[72BlckButy]

Maybe I'll send you my "unique" panel build... your work is stellar!

[tcb-1]

we'll have to discuss!!

[too much stuff]

That turned out nice. I don't go to the same extent that you do, i try to find clean parts and clean them up further without repainting and such. I just "cleaned" up a speedwarning/vacuum combo. I didn't figure anyone else had one of those...
Nice work on yours...

[72BlckButy]

Doug, is that one of the panels you scored from byrd? Or Classic Parts?

[dfwright]

That looks fantastic! Is the bezel new, or did you clean and paint it?

[tcb-1]

yep Nate, this is a bezel I got from Byrd. would have like to find an NOS bezel, but those are expensive!

[LEEVON]

NICE WORK! FAQ tech material for sure.

[dennis3d]

it looks really nice--I am looking for a cluster for 72'--did you say you was going to sale once complete?